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ANNOUNCING:
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Ten Myths About Small Foundations and International Giving By Jennifer Astone, Ph.D. |
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Toolkit for Indigenous Peoples
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IFIP's 2009 Conference Report: Fostering Local to Global Partnerships Setting the Agenda for the Future of Indigenous Philanthropy
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Climate Change, Indigenous Peoples, and the Way Forward
For more info on organizations, www.ega.org
This project funded in part by Arkay Foundation
Slideshows and Powerpoint presentations
for donors and grantmakers
Foundation Center International Grantmaking IV (2009) download PDF
Indigenous Women's Fund download PDF
pre-COP 15: Indigenous People and Climate Change (2009) download PDF
REDD slideshow and panel summary notes download PDF
Gwich'in Culture and Climate Change download PDF
Andes: Territorios Bioculturales Indígenas (Spanish) download PDF
Almir Narayamoga Surui: Ethno Environmental Management Plan for the Sete de Setembro Indigenous Land download PDFEnlish translation table only
Tim Dyman: Ocean Revolution download PDF
Jessica Brown: Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas download PDF
Coming Soon! Grantseekers' Guide to Indigenous Philanthropy
Toolkit for Indigenous Peoples
Fundraising can seem to be a daunting task, especially for Indigenous communities in remote locations with language and cultural bridges to cross.
Applying for funding can be a time-consuming process, so it is important to conduct research to be sure you are putting your efforts into approaching funders most likely to support your cause.
It is important to understand donors' philanthropic mission, their funding history, and the procedures they have in place. It is a good idea to "put yourself in their shoes" to connect with their unique motivations and to learn what they are looking to achieve through their philanthropic investments.
Start by identifying foundations and corporations that have common program interests to your project. Pay close attention to their application guidelines and requirements. Foundations put a great deal of time and consideration into drawing up their guidelines, and they expect that their instructions will be followed. With so many organizations competing for limited funds, foundations often make their first cuts to the number of proposals they must review by simply rejecting those which do not meet deadlines or follow their instructions.
Prior to approaching a potential funder with a proposal, do research on the foundation’s background, recent changes to their leadership or funding goals, and details of their application criteria. Find out as much as you can about the key decision makers and their funding interests. Review their annual reports and website content to be sure you understand their philosophy and interests before approaching them with your proposal or letter of intent.
Once you have done your homework, you will be better able to communicate the values of your project in a way that the donors will relate to their own goals. By finding a common point of connection in your proposal that is meaningful and relevant, funders come to see how building your capacity helps them to reach their philanthropic goals, and how helping you to fulfill your community's dream becomes a shared accomplishment.
Proposal Writing Tips and Other Information
What Do You Need to Know About Funders?
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Indigenous Peoples Funding and Resource Guide To download a PDF of this guide, you must first complete the download form.
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The Indigenous Peoples Funding and Resource Guide, which was developed in collaboration with International Funders for Indigenous Peoples and First Peoples Worldwide, has been distributed to hundreds of Indigenous communities and nonprofit organizations in both English and Spanish. more>
Proposal Writing Tips and Other Information
Fundraising Ideas that Work for Grassroots Groups
This publication by Ken Wyman provides advice on fundraising for grassroots groups. It includes sections on the fundraising climate in Canada, the four types of fundraising, working with volunteers, and more.
Website: http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/pc-cp/pubs/e/Fr4gras1.htm
Grantmakers Without Borders (GWOB)
Grantmakers Without Borders (GWOB) is not a grantmaking organization. On their website they provide helpful resource information for grantseekers, as well as links to sites that provide proposal-writing tips.
Website: http://www.gwob.net
Charity Village Library
There are several articles relating to grantseeking found in the Charity Village Library that are worth reading, including:
1) Top ten ways to get your proposal read.
2) Foundation collaboration-visioning for the future.
3) Grantmakers get more focused.
4) Proposals that appeal or appall.
Understanding the funder and the proposal.
Website: http://www.charityvillage.com/cv/research/rprop.html
National Science Foundation Directorate
The National Science Foundation website contains goodies of all sorts. Check out “A Guide for Proposal Writing” at www.nsf.gov.
The Microenterprise Innovation Project
The Microenterprise Innovation Project is the U.S. Agency for International Development's initiative to provide technical and financial assistance in writing case studies. The Microenterprise Best Practices Project is expanding the knowledge base of microenterprise practices in developing countries through research and publications, a grantmaking program, and information-sharing. Notable Feature: The Best Practices section presents research (based on experience) of leading practitioners who are trying new approaches in the design and delivery of services to microentrepreneurs.
Website: http://www.usaid.gov
Alliance
This listing of newsletters, magazines, journals and digests on philanthropy and the non-profit sector around the world includes both print and electronic publications, categorized by region covered. Most but not all are published by non-profits.
Website: http://www.allavida.org/alliance/usefullinks.html#Global
What Do You Need to Know About Funders?
Funders Network on Trade and Globalization
This U.S. based affinity group was created out of concern for the impact that globalization is having in communities around the world. On their website they provide a wealth of information on the environment, trade, and other issues that could be of interest to Indigenous communities.
Website: http://www.fntg.org/funders/index.html
European Foundation Center
This is a good resource for NGOs to understand what funders look for in giving programs. It provides information to grantmakers on Best Practices in grantmaking and contains publications and reports that could be of interest to your grantseeking endeavors.
Website: www.efc.be
International Center for Not-for-Profit Law
The International Center for Not-for-Profit Law has an online library of international laws affecting not-for-profits worldwide but primarily in Eastern Europe.
Website: http://www.icnl.org
The Foundation Center
The Foundation Center’s mission is to support and improve philanthropy by promoting public understanding of the field and helping grantseekers succeed. On their website you can access information on U.S. philanthropy, research on philanthropic giving, grantseeker education and training opportunities, and other important resources. Founded in 1956, the Center is the United States’ leading authority on philanthropy and is dedicated to serving grantseekers, grantmakers, researchers, policymakers, the media, and the general public. Of particular interest in the Learning Lab, you will find “Proposal Writing Short Course” in English and in Spanish.
Website: http://www.fdncenter.org
The National Network of Grantmakers
National Network of Grantmakers (NNG) is an organization of individuals involved in funding social and economic justice, not a funding group. NNG is committed to the goal of increasing resources, financial and otherwise, to organizations working for social change. Members are individual donors, foundation staff, board, and grantmaking committee members. Founded in 1980, NNG provides services to both funders and practitioners or grantseekers. On their website they provide a common grant application form, which is now accepted by 40 grantmaking programs.
Website: http://www.nng.org
Directory of Australian Foundations
Philanthropy Australia is a membership organization but also provides information and workshops to grantseekers. In addition, they have a link on their website “Community Foundations Gateway.” This website is especially useful for Australian aboriginal communities.
Website: http://www.philanthropy.org.au
Foundation Center Directory Online
Foundation Center Directory has a monthly subscription cost but it is well worth the investment to access U.S. funders that would be interested in your projects and organizations. You can search the databank either by topic of by funder name.
Website: http://www.fdncenter.org/
Listing of Private Foundations
Use site map.
Listing of Corporate Foundations
Use site map.
Charities Direct
Charities Direct, based in the United Kingdom, provides information on various types of charities and consultant information. For more information contact them on their website http://www.CharitiesDirect.com
International Funders for Indigenous Peoples
IFIP is a network of grantmakers who support Indigenous peoples, not a funding group. IFIP’s goal is to foster greater foundation commitment and more effective grantmaking for Indigenous peoples by improving networking opportunities, and promoting linkages among new and experienced donors.
Website: http://www.internationalfunders.org
International Human Rights Funders Group
The IHRFG, an association of human rights grantmakers, does not provide direct funding but on their website they have a funders directory link. Good funder resource for grantseekers.
Website: http://www.hrfunders.org
GrantStation
Grant Station is U.S. based membership online business providing up-to- date U.S. grant announcements. Many of these grantmakers also provide international funding. The annual membership fee provides grant announcements, information on foundations, and tips and tools on good grant proposals. In addition, check out the free Newsletter.
Website: http://www.grantstation.com
Forest People Programme
The Forest Peoples Programme supports forest peoples’ rights to determine their own futures, to control the use of their lands and to carry out sustainable use of their resources. Notable features include Urgent action requests, funding links, numerous publications and much more.
Website: http://forestpeoples.gn.apc.org
This publication is a directory of funders written for African Projects: http://forestpeoples.gn.apc.org/FPProj/fundraising_guide_ips_c_africa_jul03.pdf
The Grantsmanship Center
Since 1972, The Grantmanship Center has focused on training and funding information. In addition to its free online magazine and nonprofit resource section, the center also produces a wide range of low-cost publications and holds training workshops in Europe, Latin America, and the U.S.
Website: http://www.tgci.com/
Bothends Organization
The Bothends Organizations provides an overview and listing of funding agencies that fund forests worldwide.
Website: http://www.bothends.org/service/forestfunds.htm
Asia-Pacific Philanthropy Consortium (APPC)
The Asia-Pacific Philanthropy Consortium (APPC) acts as an information clearinghouse for the nonprofit sector in the Asia-Pacific region. This site promotes philanthropic activities while simultaneously offering resources for building and developing nonprofit, citizen-based organizations and programs. Notable Features: the APPC's online foundation index and resource database.
Website: http://www.asianphilanthropy.org/
The Charities Aid Foundation
The Charities Aid Foundation provides information and financial resources for NGOs. This extensive website features research, news, reviews, links, and debates on grants, volunteers, investment management, and new sources of borrowing. Notable features: a useful directory of policymakers.
Website: http://www.caflonline.org
Fundsnet Online Services
Fundsnet Online Services provides directories for general fundraising ideas, grantwriting, corporate philanthropy, international grants, and technological donations. Notable features: the Nonprofit Forum where one can exchange ideas, post questions, and participate in live chat with counterparts, and the "Mega-Index" of 900 links to philanthropic UK Fundraising. Websites: http://www.fundraising.co.uk/ . The Grants and Funding directory includes links to information, sources of grants and other funding in Australia, Europe, and the United States.
Website: http://www.fundsnetservices.com
The National Endowment for Democracy
The National Endowment for Democracy offers a comprehensive online directory of organizations that provide field-specific funding, e.g., education, media and communications, civil society, science and medicine, arts and culture, economic restructuring, and legal reform.
Website: http://www.ned.org/
The Global Philanthropy & Foundation Building
This website is part of The Synergos Institute's efforts to strengthen the institutional and financial capacity of grantmaking foundations and other private social investment organizations to support local efforts to reduce poverty, increase equity and advance social justice.
Website: http://www.synergos.org/globalphilanthropy/
The European Foundation Center (EFC)
This directory provides links to a large number of European grantmaking foundations and corporations.
Website: http://www.efc.be
Council on Foundations (COF)
The Council on Foundations is a membership organization of more than 2,000 grantmaking foundations and giving programs worldwide. They provide a directory to help grantseekers.
Website: http://www.cof.org
Worldwide Initiatives For Grantmaker Support (WINGS)
WINGS is a global network of around 100 membership associations and support organizations for grantmakers. Neither WINGS nor their network members are grantmakers themselves but their website information could help you find out more about grantmakers in different countries and regions.
Website: http://www.wingsweb.org
Activities
A defined agenda of list of happenings that will occur in order to accomplish the objective. It defines what, when, and who will be responsible to carry out the planned agenda.
Budget
A list of project costs.
Executive
A summarization of all the key information included in the proposal
Summary
It includes the issue, the solution, funding requirements, and information on the organization and community.
Evaluation
A method to determine the success of the project in meeting the stated goal and accomplishment of the planned activities.
Foundation
An organization created to provide financial support, a grant, to not-for- profit and/or nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).
Goal
Defines the scope of the project. It describes what you expect the project setting to be like after the project has completed its intervention. The goal is the solution to the issue; it is broad and almost visionary.
Guidelines
A specific outline of a proposal application provided by the foundation to the grantseeker to follow in the proposal submission process.
Indicator
A description of a set of data that can measure or verify an outcome.
LOI
Sometimes referred to as a Letter of Intent, a Letter of Interest, and/or a Letter of Introduction. It is a 2-3 page pre-proposal application to the funder. Used by the funder to screen ineligible applicants and to invite full proposals for submission.
NGO
A charitable organization that is nongovernmental in structure.
Objective
A series of specific accomplishments designed to address the statement of need and to attain the goal. It is an endpoint and not a process. It tells what you want to do, and where you are going to do it. It is measurable and time-bound.
Outcome
A benefit that the community or a participant gain from the project. It determines a tangible or intangible change in behavior, knowledge, and/or attitude derived from the project.
Proposal
A written application explaining the project and a description of the community and/or organization, often accompanied by supporting documents.
Resources
Those items needed to carry out the planned activities of a project. They can be money, equipment, personnel, space, expertise, and other tangible and intangible items. Resources determine the project’s costs. Resources can be secured from the community, other organizations, outside sources, and/or from the funder.
Statement
Concisely states a situation that needs to be changed: It explains the of Need situation, conditions, and reasons for your project. It does not discuss the solution or the project being proposed. It lays the groundwork to introduce your project.
